Operational Environment (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

Purpose of the course

The Finnish bioeconomy is significant both nationally and internationally. In the future, clean food, water and energy will be increasingly needed. By the end of the course, you will be able to understand what the bioeconomy is all about and what its importance and opportunities are.

Competences of the course

Business skills:
-Identify opportunities for bioeconomy entrepreneurship in a rural environment
Internationalisation and multiculturalism:
-be able to follow and use international developments in your field in your work
Sustainability:
-be able to use knowledge related to your field to identify, implement and consolidate sustainable solutions and practices
-understand sustainability challenges, their interdependencies and the multiple perspectives of issues and problems

Learning objective of the course

By the end of the course, you will be familiar with the factors influencing the bioeconomy environment. You will understand the importance of agriculture, forestry and rural industries as part of the national economy. You will understand national and international objectives and means of the bioeconomy and circular economy and know the organisations involved in this field. Understand the principles of the national economy and policy making.

Content

- economic activity
- policy-making
- key players in the rural economy environment
- the main objectives and instruments of agricultural, forestry and rural policy
- key objectives and instruments of energy and environment policy
- agricultural and forestry organisations and producer organisations

Location and time

The course will be implemented during the spring semester 2026 as contact and webinar teaching. The contacts will be carried out at the Institute of Bioeconomy in Saarijärvi.

Materials

Pohjola, Matti. 2019. Taloustieteen oppikirja. e-kirja. Jamk verkkoaineistot
Markkola, Pirjo. 2004. Suomen maatalouden historia, 3. Suurten muutosten aika: Jälleenrakennuskaudesta EU-Suomeen.

Material for the online learning environment.

Teaching methods

During the course, students study topics in accordance with the objectives in contact teaching and independently by completing assignments. The course also includes participation in a study trip or seminar.

Exam schedules

The course attainments consist of independent partial exams and assignments completed in a group and independently. The combined score of these forms a grade that can be increased by active participation.

Student workload

Contact hours and webinars 16 hours
Field trip or independent assignment 16 hours
Self-study and assignments 103 hours
Total 135 hours

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Grade 1:
You know what the bioeconomy is and recognise its importance for the economy. You are familiar with national and international objectives and instruments of the bioeconomy and the circular economy and the organisations involved in this field. You identify the principles of national economy and policy making.

Grade 2
You know what the bioeconomy is and recognise its importance for the national economy. You understand the national and international objectives and instruments of the bioeconomy and the circular economy and the organisations involved. You understand the principles of the national economy and policy making.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Grade 3
You know what the bioeconomy is and recognise its importance for the economy. You understand the national and international objectives and instruments of the bioeconomy and the circular economy and the organisations involved. You understand the principles of the national economy and policy making. You will be able to apply knowledge of bioeconomy objectives and policies, national economy and policy-making to your own context.

Grade 4
You know what the bioeconomy is and recognise its importance for the national economy. You understand the national and international objectives and means of the bioeconomy and the organisations involved in this field. You understand the principles of the national economy and policy making. You will be able to apply knowledge of the objectives and policies of the bioeconomy and circular economy, the national economy and policy-making to your own context and critically examine related information.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Grade 5
You know what the bioeconomy is and recognise its importance for the economy. You understand the national and international objectives and instruments of the bioeconomy and the circular economy and the organisations involved. You understand the principles of the national economy and policy making. You will be able to apply knowledge of the objectives and policies of the bioeconomy and circular economy, the national economy and policy-making to your own context and critically examine related information. You will be able to present proposals for development and influence on the objectives and means of the bioeconomy and the circular economy as well as on the economy and policy-making.

Further information

The assessment of the course is based on independent sub-exams and assignments completed in a group and independently.